Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1587. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on and the status the building blocks grant. [59516/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched on 4th November 2024. The closing date for applications was 30th January 2025 and a total of 78 applications were received from across the country. 50 of these applicants were successful in progression to the next stage of the process and a currently finalising the legal formalities associated with the scheme. One service has since withdrawn from the scheme. The projects will begin to be completed over the course of 2026.

Applicants were scored across three criteria (quality, readiness and evidence of need) with a maximum score of 1500 and a minimum requirement of 760 to progress to the next stage. It was a rigorous and comprehensive eligibility assessment and appraisal as is appropriate and necessary in making decisions about significant allocation of public capital investment.

In planning ahead for the capital programme to be funded through the revised National Development plan 2026-30, the experience of various aspects of the Building Blocks scheme have been incorporated, including feedback received from services and County Childcare Committees, and will inform the design of any potential future scheme.

As part of the recent NDP review, the allocation for this Department has increased to €795 million over the next five years. This increased funding will be used in part to provide additional early learning and childcare places through future capital programmes, including operating a further scheme similar to Building Blocks to support the expansion of provision by existing operators, as well as implementing my Departments commitment to capital investment in State-owned facilities.

The Department are currently examining options for future Building Blocks schemes and I expect to announce details in early 2026.